Incidental Flag History 

Second Michigan Infantry 
1861-5. 



\ 




BY COL. FREDERICK SCHNEIDER 



INCIDENTAL HISTORY 



OF THE 



FLAGS AND COLOR GUARD 



WINFIELD S. SLY 

SPECIAL AIDE FOR PATRIOTIC EDUCATION AND MILITARY 
INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN, G A R 

LANSING, MICHIGAN. 

^• 

Please send to my address, postpaid, ^€m ^i> pu ^>H^ed 

copies of "The Prize Flag History of the 

Second Michigan Infantry Flag," written by Col. Frederick 
Schneider, foF=which I agree to p^y at the rate of TEN cents 
per copy oiv-receipt of same. 



Name 

P. O State. 



PUBLISHED AND SUNT POSTPAID TO ANY ADDRUSS BY 

WINFIELD S. SLY 

SPECIAL AIDE AMCHIGAN DEPARTMENT G. A. R. FOR 
PATRIOTIC EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

217 NORTH PINE STREET, LANSING, MICHIGAN 



i 




INCIDENTAL HISTORY 

OF THE 

FLAGS AND COLOR GUARD 

OR THE 

SECOND MICHIGAN VETERAN 

VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 

1861-5 

— BY— 

COL. FREDERICK SCHNEIDER 

WHO ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN APRIL, 18 61 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 
AUGUST, 18(.S, AS LAST COA\A\ANDbR OF THE REG1ME^T 



AWARDED FIRST PRIZE IN THE FLAG HISTORY CONTEST 

1905. 



COPYKIGHT API^LIED FOK. 



PUBLISHED AND SENT POSTPAID TO ANY ADDRESS BY 

WINFIELD S. SLY 

SPECIAL AIDE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT G. A. R. FOR 
PATRIOTIC EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

217 NORTH PINE STREET, LANSING, MICHIGAN 



UbRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

DEC 13 1905 



CflpyngM Entry 

CLASS Ct XXC. No 

/ 5XL 16 

COPY B. 



s 



INTRODUCTORY. 



January 1st, 1905, Wiiifield Scott Sly, Special Aide, Department 
of Michigan G. A. R., for Patriotic Instruction and Military Training 
in Public Schools, offered a prize of twenty dollars in gold for the 
best incidental history of a regimental flag, for use in public schools 
and otherwise, to be written by a comrade who carried or followed 
it. The ofYer was extended to all old soldiers who belonged to the 
Union Army. 

Pursuant to this proposition, manuscripts were submitted. These 
were numbered and placed, without name or address attached, in 
the hands of a special committee to examine and award the prize. 
The following is the report of said committee: 
We, the committee appointed by Winfield Scott Sly, Special Aide, 
Department of Michigan G. A. R. for Patriotic Education and Mili- 
tary Training in Public Schools, having duly examined the manu- 
scripts of "Incidental h^lag Histories" submitted to us, approve and 
commend the manuscript marked "No. 1" as superior, in our judg- 
ment, for its scope, detail, personal mention and literary finish. 

Respectfluly submitted, 
PATRICK H. KELLY, 
Superintendent Public Instruction. 
WALTER H. FRENCH, 

Deputy Supt. Public Instruction. 

I hereby certify that the "Incidental Flag History" manuscript 
marked No. 1, above referred to by the committee of examination in 
the prize Flag History contest, was written and submitted by Col. 
Frederick Schneider of Lansing, Michigan, as a history of the flag 
of the Second Michigan Infantry, of which he was a member from 
the beginning to the end of the w^ar. To him the prize in the Flag 
History contest has been duly awarded. 

WINFIELD SCOTT SLY, 
Special Aide Department of Michigan G. A. R. for Patriotic Instruc- 
tion and Military Training in Public Schools. 




THE OLD FLAG OF THE SECO\"D MICHIGAX INFANTRY, 



"Of scenes long passed, 'mid battle's strife, 
Where it gained a halo of glory, 

This dear old flag, each star and stripe. 
Could tell many a touching story." 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREDERICK SCHNEIDER, 

AT THE AGE OF TWENTY-FOUR. 

LAST CO^nLXNDER OF THE SECOND MlCllKiAN \ OEUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Note: — In a carefully prepared paper reviewing the character and services of the Second 

Michigan Infantry and its coniniandcrs, read at a reunion of the survivors of this famous 

regiment, the distinguished and brilliant General O. M. Poe — who achieved an international 



MILITARY RECORD OF COLONEL FREDERICK SCHNEIDER 
(VETERAN), DETROIT. 

li(ini at Saline, Michigan, Nov. 24, 1840. First enlisted in Detroit Scott 
Guard, Co. li, Kirst Baltalion, Frontier Guards of Michigan Militia, Oct. 26, 185'J. 
Removed to Chicago, 111., May, 1860. Enlisted as Sergeant in Co. C, First Illinois 
Imanlry, April 15, IMil, at Chicago, 111., for three months, but on receipt of tele- 
gram from Secretary Goebel of Detroit Scott Guard, saying that his company 
had enli.^ted for the war, would he join? he at once canceled his Illinois enlist- 
ment and immediately returned to Detroit, where he enlisted as private in the 
Detroit Scott Guard— subsequently Co. A, Second Michigan Infantry — April 18, 
1801, for three months, being at the time twenty years of age. Mustered into the 
state service April 2'.\ 1801. Promoted Corporal, May. 1861 ; Sergeant, May, 
1801. On non-acceptance by the government of Second Infantry for three months' 
service, he re-enlisted as Sergeant for three years in same company. Mustered 
into U. S. service May 25, 1801. Acting First Sergeant August to November, 
1801, and June to December, 1802. First Sergeant (Orderly), Dec. 7, 1802. Act- 
ing Sergeant Major, November, 1802. Severely injured and knocked unconscious 
by a blow on left side of his head, by an artillery horse in a runaway accident on 
the night of Jane 30, It'ij'l, while the army was retiring from the battle near 
Charles City Cross Roads, Va. Re-enlisted at Blain's Cross Roads, Tenn., Dec. 
31, 1803, and mustered Jan. 1. 1804. Sergeant Major May 14, 1864. Commis- 
sioned First Lieutenant, Co. A. June 6, 1804. Mustered July 27, 1804. Acting 
Adjutant July 30, 1<^04. Wounded in right arm in action near Petersburg, Va., 
.June 18, 1804. Taken prisoner at explosion of mine under rebel fort before 
Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864. Escaped same day. Wounded in left thigh and 
tiken prisoner near Hatcher's Run, Va., Oct. 27, 1864. Again escaped, but was 
recaptured af'.er great hardsh ps and suffering and confinement in jail at Peters- 
burg, Va., in November, 1804, in Libby prison at Richmond. Va. ; stockade 
prison at Saulsb iry, N. C, and Danville prison, Va. E.xchanged at Richmond, 
Va.. l'"eb 22. 1805. Commissioned Captain of Co. A, to date July 30. 1804. Mus- 
tered April 12, 1865. Comm ssioned Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 18, 1864. Mustered 
to date April 18. 1805. Commissioned Colonel April 18, 1805. Mustered out and 
honorably discharged at DeLaney House, D. C, July 28, 1865. Was the last 
commander of his regiment, which he brought home to Detroit, Michigan, where 
it was paid off and disbanded on Aug. 8, 1805, after a continuous service, mostly 
at the front, in the field from April 18, 1861, during which he participated in 
every march, campaign, siege, battle and skirmish in which his regiment w^as 
engaged, except the two cnegagemcnts and such movements as took place while 
he was a wounded prisoner of war. Colonel Schneider's present residence is 
Lansing, Michigan. 



reputation as a military engineer, and who commanded the regiment from September, 1861, to 
.'\pril, 1863- has put on record the following estimate of Colonel Schneider's military services: 
Lieutenant Colonel Schneider was mustered in as such (commander of the regiment ' to date 
from the 18th of March, 1805. Schneider was also commissioned as Colonel by the State, 
but the regiment had been reduced below the standard, and he could not be mustered as 
Colonel — more's the pity, for the name of a more sterling soldier never appeared on the 
rolls of the regiment. Kntering the service with Its oruailizition il.s an Piili.><rp(l man. ht» rosf- to 
the conuuand by his own unquestioned merit, and was one of the few whose fortunes were 
east with it from first to last, from date of its muster iti to that of its muster out. He wa< 
a type of the growth of the regiment, and it would be dilVicult to find a better one. .Mways 
ready for any duty— always in front when hard fighting was to be done, always amenable to 
discipline, steady, trustworthy and willing. Where is the "regular." who was a more "regular" 
than Frederick Sclincider? When he rode at the head of the regiment in the Grand Review 
at Washington at the close of the war, he fitly represented the valor and sacrifice of the old 
Second Slichigan "regular volunteers." 



HISTORY O F THE OLD FLAG. 

The liistory of the old flags, and Color Guard, of the Second Mich- 
igan Infantry of the Civil War of 1861-1865; by Colonel Frederick 
Schneider, its last commander, who served with it from its organiza- 
tion, April 25, 1861, to its disbandment, August 8, 1865. 



Of the tlinusands of visitors, who annually pass through the Mili- 
tary Museum of Michigan's State Capitol, with but a perfunctory 
glance at the old Michigan battle flags, stored there in glass cases, 
probably not more than one in a thousand of the present generation 
ever realizes or comprehends what a vast amount of heroism, sacri- 
fice of noble lives and treasure it cost to bear them to a triumphant 
issue in that great crucial struggle for national existence ; that most 
tragic period in the history of this country — the great Civil War. 
Oh, could they but speak, what touching scenes of heroism they could 
give, scenes that no tongue can now tell nor pen adequately describe. 
Upon the eloquent presentation of the subject to our Post by the 
Rev. Winfield Scott Sly — whom the National Commander of the 
G. A. R. has just appointed Special Aide for Michigan on "Military 
Instruction and Patriotic Education in the Public Schools" — I was 
induced to make the attempt, as well as I may, to rescue from oblivion 
as far as possible, the history of the flags of the Second Michigan 
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, with whose fortunes I was so intimately 
connected. 

Flags or banners have for ages been the symbols of the power, 
glory and aspirations of the country they represented. In a regiment 
of troops in battle, the flag was its guiding star to glory and victory, 
and the most superhuman efforts were put forth to maintain it. It 
was the star of hope in adversity. Plow the heart of every patriotic 
citizen thrills when he reads those stirring lines in our national hymn 
of the star spangled banner, so well describing the anxieties and 
hopes of those American prisoners on board of the British frigate: 

"Oh, say, can ybn see by the dawn's early light 

What so proudly we hailed at the t\V'i!ight's last gleaming? 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. 

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ! 
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air 
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; 
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" 



During the preliminary organization of the Second Michigan 
Infantry — which was completed April 25, 1861 — nearly every com- 
pany was presented with a flag by the citizens of the locality where 
it had been recruited ; and upon arriving at the rendezvous in Detroit, 
Company "E" from Niles, having been designated as the "Color 
Company," the flag brought by this company was used as the regi- 
mental colors. In February, 1862, this flag, being of very light silk, 
had become unserviceable. It was carried by the regiment through 
all its hard fought battles up to and including Fredericksburg, when 
it had become so tattered by wear, and by some forty bullet holes, 
that it was deemed unfit for further service, and was returned to the 
donors at Niles, who treasured it highly, and who finally caused it 
to be stored in the Military Museum at the Capitol. It possesses a 
gallant record, having come out gloriously from every engagement, 
while eleven of its upholders or defenders were either killed or 
wounded. At first it seems the Captain of the color company, 
appointed the color bearer for the time being, and no special color 
guard was appointed until the distinguished commander of the 
regiment. Col. O. M. Poe, obtained from the War Department a 
regulation set of regimental infantry colors, which he formally pre- 
sented to the regiment with a stirring speech, and by battalion order 
No. 61, dated October 31, 1861, established and provided for a special 
"Color Guard," independent of any particular company, and directly 
under the control of the Adjutant, consisting of one "Color Ser- 
geant" — who was the color bearer — and five "Color Corporals," 
directing that it be made a post of high honor; and Captains were 
directed to make all promotions to Sergeants when vacancies oc- 
curred, from the color guard. The remnant of this second flag, tat- 
tered and battle scarred, is shown at the head of this sketch, 
reproduced from an old photograph. It has been carried in thirty- 
three engagements and under its folds eleven officers and one hun- 
dred and ninety-four men have been killed in action or mortally 
wounded. 

At Loudon, Tenn., on November 12, 1863, this regiment, with 
a division of Gen. Burnside's forces, was engaged in repulsing a 
large force of the enemy under Gen. Longstreet, who was forcing a 
crossing of the Tennessee river near that point, when Gen. Burn- 
side was ordered by Gen. Grant at Chattanooga to draw the enemy 
on to Knoxville, but to hold the latter point at all hazards. In 
carrying out this difficult program the famous Michigan Brigade, 



then composed of the Second, Eighth, Seventeenth and Twentieth 
Michigan Infantry and Reomer's Battery of the New York Artillery, 
in command of the intrepid Colonel William Humphrey of the Sec- 
ond Michigan Infantry, was assigned to the perilous position of rear 
guard to cover the withdrawal of Burnside's forces from Lenoir to 
Campbell's Station. The brigade had scarcely been withdrawn from 
the enemy's front, about an hour before daylight on the morning of 
November 16th, when the vigilant enemy discovered it, and McLaws 
division of the enemy promptl}^ advanced upon us. Now followed 
a most desperate struggle for twelve miles to Campbell's Station, 
where Burnside's force had intrenched itself for a final repulse of 
the enemy before retiring on Knoxville. But the brigade was so 
skilfully handled by Colonel Humphrey that he succeeded in with- 
drawing his brigade to the forks of the road at Campbell's Station 
just in time to escape being cut off by another division of the enemy 
hastening down the Kingston road. All through this desperate strug- 
gle our gallant color bearer, Sergeant Ulysses D. Russell, had carried 
our colors unllinchingly until our last stand was made at the forks of 
the road, when the flagstaff in his hands was shattered and he was 
mortally wounded and died a few days afterward at Knoxville. 

At the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., on the 24th of November, 1863, 
the regiment charged the enemy's rifle pits. Eighty-four were killed 
or wounded out of one hundred and fifty engaged, including four 
officers and two color corporals killed, and six sergeants who lost a 
leg each, the flagstaft' being hit three times. 

The patriotic enthusiasm, and heroic devotion of the Color Guard 
of the Second Michigan Infantry, to the old flag under all circum- 
stances, is well illustrated by the following extracts from a recent 
letter, from Brevet Captain Wm. Gundlach, of Company A, who was 
Senior Color Corporal, and carried the Colors in the charge at Knox- 
ville, and other engagements. See portrait of this sturdy, brave and 
gallant soldier, on tenth page, reproduced from an old photo taken 
in 1865. 

In this letter, dictated to his daughter, from his sick bed, he says : 
'T entered the Color Guard shortly before the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, Va. ; at that time, the flag was carried by Sergeant Russell, of 
Company I; at the battle of Jackson, Miss., Russell was overcome 
by the great heat of that bloody day, so I took charge of the colors 
during the battle- The next day, Russell was again able to take 



charge of it. At the battle of Campbell's Station, November 16, 1863, 
Russell was killed. I then took charge of the Colors. On November 
2-1 (yonr birthday), when our regiment made that gallant charge 
on the enemy's works, our brave Major Byington, who was then in 
command of the regiment, said to me: 'Sergeant, don't unfurl the 
colors today, I am afraid you will never bring them back if you do.' 
I replied, 'The Colors must fly,' and they did. I planted the Colors 
on the enemy's rifle pit, which we had just captured, and driven the 
enemy out of, but the enemy immediately rallied with overwhelming 
force, while that masked battery on our right, enfilading our entire 
line with a terrific fire of canister, just raked us fore and aft, it was 
a miracle that any of us escaped from that murderous fire. The 
rebels tried to take the flag from me, and had laid hands on it, but 
with colors in one hand and my Colt's revolver in the other, and 
with the timely help of Color Corporal Martin Rheule, of Company 
H, who knocked one of the rebels on the head with the butt of his 
gun, I got the colors back and down from the rifle pit. Adjutant 
Noble, who was just in my rear, warned me not to be so daring with 
the colors. Just then came the orders to fall back to our lines. The 
noble Major Byington, our gallant Adjutant Noble, and two of my 
color guards were killed close to me. I carried the colors safely back 
to camp, not flying, but on my shoulders. How we got back, you, 
yourself, know. During the siege of Knoxville. we had no regular 
regimental headquarters where the colors could be kept, so I kept 
them in my little dugout, day and night, sleeping with them in my 
arms at night, for fear they might be stolen from me. I kept the 
flag with me during the entire Tennessee campaign. In the follow- 
ing February, the regiment having re-enlisted as veterans, and on its 
way home on veteran furlough, we were quartered at the Fifth Street 
Market House, in Cincinnati. Our Lieut.-Col. Hayden and I, pur- 
suant to general orders from General Burnside, took the flag to a 
painter's establishment, and had the names of all the principal bat- 
tles, from Blackburn's I'ord to Jackson, IMiss., printed in gilt letters 
on it. 1 felt very proud of that list of battles on our flag, and you 
remember how the citizens cheered us, when on the '22d of February, 
we marched through the streets on our way to the railroad station. 
We felt still prouder — I know I did — when I carried it down Jefferson 
avenue, Detroit, to our temporary regimental headquarters. After 
we had received our thirty days veteran furlough, I took the flag to 
my mother's home on W'ilkins street — there seemed to be no other 




WILLIAM GUNDLACH, FIRST LIEUTENANT AND BREVET CAPTAIN. 
AT THE AGE OF TWENTY-SIX. 



Note: — This gallant veteran enlisted at the age of twenty-two in Company A, Second 
Michigan Infantry, as Corporal, April 18, 1861, at Detroit, Michigan, for three years. Mus- 
tered May 25, 1863. Promoted Color Corporal. After Color Sergeant Ulysses D. Russell 
was mortally wounded at Campbell's Station on Nov. 10, 1SC3, Corporal Gundlach became 
Color Sergeant and re-cnlisted Dec. 31, 1863, at Blaine's Cross RoacJ^ Tpnn. Mustered Jan., 
1804; rc-assigncd to Color Guard. (Sec his letter printed on pages 8 to 13, setting forth some 
of his experiences while connected with the Color Guard.) Promoted First Sergeant (Or- 
derly) Company A. Taken prisoner before Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1S64. Exchanged Feb. 
22, 1865. Discharged for promotion April 30, 1865. Commissioned First Lieutenant, April 
25, 1865. Mustered May 1, 1805. Mustered out and honorably discharged at De Lancy House, 
D. C, July 28, 1865. Participated in all engagements of the regiment prior to July 31, 1864, 
when he was taken prisoner. Brevetted Captain for conspicuous bravery in action and 
meritorious service during the war. 



safe place for it — where I kept it locked up until we re-assembled at 
our rendezvous at Mt. Clemens." 

During this interval, the entire Ninth Army Corps under Gen. 
Burnside, to which the Second Michigan Infantry was then attached, 
was re-transferred to the East and again attached to the Army of the 
PotDmac, rendezvousing at Annapolis, Md., in accordance with the 
plans and orders of Gen. U. S. Grant, who had just been appointed by 
] 'resident Lincoln, Commander in Chief of all the armies of the 
United States — where the decimated regiments of the Ninth Army 
Corps, were rapidly being filled up with new recruits. It was at this 
l)oint lliat the Second Michigan Infantry, with new recruits, after the 
ex])iration of its veteran furlough, rejoined its army corps on April 
G, 1864. 

Captain (lundlach in the letter just referred to, goes on to say: 
"You remember the day we marched from Annapolis, toward Wash- 
ington, I believe it was the second day, after we had passed in review 
at Washington before President Lincoln, we made a forced march 
across Long Pridge towards Alexandria, in order to join the 
remainder of the Corps. Many of the boys became exhausted on 
that march, and were obliged to drop out — but of course it would 
ne\er do for the colors to drop out; so. exhausted as I was, I kept 
on, till we l)i\-ouacked for the night. Next morning T could hardly 
stand, but 1 kept up till we reached Warrenton Junction, when I told 
Adjutant Henry Daniels that I was not able to march that day, as I felt 
unable even to stand. He sent Dr. Vickery to me ; I requested to be 
carried in the ambulance part of the way, hoping to be Ijetter before 
night. My request was granted. I turned the colors over to Color- 
Corporal John J. Callahan. Before doing so, I severed a tattered 
piece of the flag from it, that hung by a few threads only. I put the 
fragment in my diary, thinking if I never see those colors again I will 
at least have a small piece of it as a precious keepsake. 

The doctor had me put on a stretcher and carried to the ambulance. 
All day I thought I was following the regiment, but, behold at night, 
I discovered my mistake; when the ambulance halted before the 
Mansion House Hospital at Alexandria, and I was enrolled as an 
inflammatory rheumatism patient. Two days later, most of the 
l)atients were taken in a box car, to the South and 34th Street 
Hospital, Philadelphia. Through the kind assistance of our former 
surgeon, Alonzo Palmer (late Dean of the medical faculty of Michigan 



12 

University), who ha|)])iMU'(l to visit tlic hospital, T was able within a 
few weeks to walk again. 

I was informed presently that I was to be transferred to the 
Veteran Reserve Corps. 1 felt this would be a disgrace to me, so 
when the time came for a crowd to be sent to the front from the 
hospital, I went to the front under the name of Kelley. Kellcy was 
an old Irishman, who had been at the hospital for two years, had had 
a good time, and did not want to go to the front again. He willingly 
agreed, when I suggested that we exchange names and I go to the 
front in his place. Next morning when we assembled in front of the 
hosi)ital, for roll call, T answered to the name of Kelley. When we 
reached Washington, Kelley was missing, for I had resumed my own 
name. I went to the Provost Marshal's office, inquired for my 
regiment. T was given transportation to City Point, and informed 
that the regiment was expected there that day. I arrived there 
shortly before the regiment did, about the 15th or IGth of June, 1864. 
Jesse Gaines of Company G was the Color Bearer, when I rejoined 
the regiment. As our company was short of sergeants (you then 
being Sergeant Major). Will Lang and myself being the only old 
sergeants left, I remained with the company. Our terrible campaign 
after that — our being taken prisoners, in the dreadful disaster at the 
Crater — you will remember as well as I do. Under Sergeant Gaines, 
the colors were lost at the Crater — but only for a time. 

The day after I returned to Detroit on my thirty-day prison 
furlough, as provided by the cartel of exchange, two ladies called to 
see me. One was Mrs. Poe, wife of our beloved General, the other 
the noble Mrs. Brent, her mother, and also of Mrs. Lyster, the famous 
author of "Michigan, My Michigan." They had read in the morning's 
"Free Press" the names of the members of the Second Michigan 
Infantry who had returned from Libby prison. During the call 
Mrs. Poe told me that the flag had been lost, and expressed deep 
regret that she could or did not have a piece of it, as a memento of 
our great sacrifices, and its awful baptism in the blood of her 
husband's old regiment. I told her what I had done at Warrenton, 
and that I had carried that precious fragment with me in the hospital, 
the Petersburg campaign, and for seven months in Libby prison. 
I took the piece from my note book, and gave each of them a piece 
about the size of a half-dollar. Each of the ladies had her piece put 
into a brooch. 

At our regimental reunion of survivors, in Detroit in 1887, which 



13 

was held on tlie steamer Sapho up to Lake St. Clair, with banquet at 
the Star Island house at "Little Venice" on the Lake St. Clair Flats, 
I found out that there was some dispute as to who had carried the 
colors on the 24th of November, 1863. Mrs. Poe, who was present, 
said that she had told the General, that the man who had claimed to 
carry the colors on that day was not the right one, for the man who 
had carried them had given her the piece in the brooch that she was 
wearing. When she saw me, she said: "That is the man who gave 
me the piece in my brooch," and asked if I remembered the circum- 
stance. Of course I did, perfectly. "You are the man we have been 
looking for, the one who carried the flag at Knoxville. The General 
also said : "I remember distinctly about his carrying the flag on that 
day, anxl also thinking that he would never return alive." I still have 
the piece of the flag referred to, and it is one of my most treasured 
keepsakes. This is all that I recall at present about my personal 
experiences with the flag." 

July 30, 1864, during the attack which followed the blowing up 
of one of the principal forts within the enemy's lines, before Peters- 
burg, Va., known in the list of engagements as "The Crater," the 
regiment was in the advance of the charge made by the Second 
Brigade, Third Division of Ninth Corps. At every step the fire 
of the enemy in front and on each flank concentrated upon them 
and plowed their ranks with great slaughter. The charge was 
checked on the side of the crest; there was a halt, and finally the 
the whole line, wavering under terrible odds, recoiled, nearly sur- 
rounded, the regimental commander among the dead, fifty-seven men 
killed and prisoners and, seeing escape hopeless. Color Sergeant 
Jesse H. Gaines ran to the rear as far as possible and hurled the 
flag over the parapet towards our lines, trusting it would be seen 
and saved by some of our men. He was almost instantly a prisoner 
with others of the color guard. The flag was found and taken by 
the enemy and carried a trophy to Richmond. A Richmond paper, 
narrating the events of this battle, said, in substance : "Among the 
flags taken was that of the Second Michigan Infantry, an organiza- 
tion well known in our army since the first Bull Run. It bears the 
names of many prominent engagements with both the eastern and 
western armies. This regiment must have been nearly annihilated, 
or it would never have lost its colors." And Color Sergeant Gaines, 
in his interesting sketch, pithily says: "It is true the flag was lost, 
bui it was never surrendered." When Richmond was taken it was 



found in the rebel capitol, removed to Washington and later, by an 
order of the War Department, sent to the regimental association of 
survivors, and is now among the war relics in the Capitol at Lansing. 

As a proof that no dishonor was attached to the regiment for its 
loss under such trying circumstances, General Meade, commanding 
the Army of the Potomac, ordered a new flag to be presented to 
the regiment, which was done. 

Upon general orders of Army Headquarters, the following most 
prominent battles and sieges in which the regiment had borne a 
creditable part were printed upon this last flag, as far as practicable, 
all minor engagements being left out for want of space on the flag: 

Blackburn's Ford, Bull Run, in 18G1, Siege of Yorktown, Will- 
iamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bull Run in 1862, 
Groveton, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Siege of Vicksburg, Siege of 
Jackson, Miss.; Blue Springs, Campbell's Station, Siege of Knox- 
ville. Wilderness, Spotssylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold 
Harbor, General Assault on Petersburg June 17 and 18, 1864, Siege 
of Petersburg, Crater, Weldon Rail Road, Ream's Station, Poplar 
Springs Church, Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, Capture of Peters- 
burg and Appomattox. 

But what of that gallant and brave band who from time formed 
the Color Guard, that bore these glorious old flags to victory and 
through adversity, who were the especial target of the enemy's 
shot and shell in these great battles in all these nerve-racking, heart- 
breaking campaigns? Who were they, and what became of them? 
These questions and many similar questions regarding the rank and 
file of Michigan troops, this great State has at last sought to answer, 
as far as the very defective war records would permit, by the recent 
publication of regimental, alphabetical individual records of the Civil 
War. 

No history of the Second Michigan Infantry flags can be com- 
plete without an especial mention of the names and history of those 
sturdy and gallant comrades who formed its Color Guard, who were 
so intimately connected with its fortunes in the fierce strife of battle. 

From the official order book of the regiment, running from 1861 
to December 31, 1863 — which is now in the writer's possession — the 
appended official data as to Color Guard promotions have been col- 
lected and, for want of space in this article, have been arranged 
chronologically. I regret exceedingly that the second volume of 
regimental order book, running from January, 1864, to August, 1865, 



cannot be found, so that similar data might be given of those gallant 
comrades who succeeded those mentioned in the tabular list which 
forms an appendix to this article, also, that more war time photos 
could not be obtained to illustrate this article. 

The dramatic, death of Alfred Rowe, noted in the Color Guard 
list just referred to, is thus reported in the regimental record recently 
published by the State: "In the first charges on the enemy's out- 
works made on that fatal day, the Color Sergeant was wounded, 
and Color Corporal Rowe became Color Bearer, and in the last 
assault, about 5 p. m., on the enemy's main line of defense before 
Petersburg, he carried the regimental colors and rushed ahead of 
the regimental line of battle about fifty yards through a very storm 
of shot and shell, when he sank to the ground against some low 
brush, ^hot through the head, but still holding up the colors in a 
firm grip, rigid in death, with a smile of triumph lighting up his 
countenance, when Lieutenant Frederick Schneider of Company 
A went out to him under fire of the enemy and brought back the 
colors to the regimental line of battle, the entire Color Guard having 
been either killed or wounded."! The sequel to this incident shows 
the remarkable fact that after dark that night a reserve brigade 
with picks and shovels, reinforced our own brigade, and before day- 
light the next morning we had thrown up a strong line of rifle pits 
parallel with the enemy's line in our front, at the very point where 
the brave Alfred Rowe had carried the Second Michigan flag, it 
being the nearest point to the enemy's works that any regimental 
battle line reached on that bloody day. Later on, during the siege, 
right back of our position in the ravine, the Forty-eighth Pennsvl- 
vania Infantry, a regiment of miners from the upper Schuylkill coal 
region,* dug the tunnel out under the enemy's lines, through which 
his main fort in our front was blown up on July 30, 186-1, which led 



t [About twenty feet from where dirporal Rowe had fallen, clasping: the flag- 
staff in his dying- grasp, lay a young comrade aged ahout eighteen, severely wounded 
through the shoulder; weakened by pain and loss of blood, he was unable to rise, 
ind faintly pleaded with Lieut. Schneider to help him from the field. Responding 
to his appeal the lieutenant, grasping the flag in one hand, and lying flat beside 
the wounded boy, he drew the well arm around his neck and by sheer strength 
rose to his knees, then to his feet, and bore the sufferer on his back and amid 
flying bullets, carried him and the rescued flag back to the line.]— Editor. 

*See Major Wm. H. Powell's famous account, "The Tragedy of the Crater," 
in Vol. 12 of Century Magazine, page 760. 



to the disastrous battle of the "Crater," at which this same flag was 
lost and some of our best ofificers killed or wounded. Among the 
killed was the regimental commander, Captain John L. Young. Our 
entire Color Guard was surrounded and captured. The writer was 
also captured in this battle, but succeeded in escaping to our lines 
the same day. 

After tlic appointments to Color Guard, mentioned in the ap- 
pendix, no definite data is available as to when and what subsequent 
appointments were made. It seems that when the new flag was 
issued in August or September, 1864, that Joseph Richardson of Com- 
pany C was appointed acting Color Sergeant, and he, with the regi- 
ment, were the first Union troops to enter Petersburg at the capture 
on April 3, 1865, and in his hands the Second Michigan Infantry 
fkig was the first Union flag to wave over the postofBce and United 
States Custom House, where the rebel flag had floated so defiantly 
before. When Color Corporal Nathan M. Richardson of Company 
F had been exchanged and returned to duty with the regiment in 
June, 1865, he Avas promoted to Color Sergeant, and was mustered 
out as such with the regiment, after turning the colors over to the 
State authorities. 

As an instance of the terrible sacrifices the regiment made in the 
Grant -campaign of 1864 : General Wm. Humphrey, who was then 
Colonel of the regiment and commanding the Second Brigade, Third 
Division of Ninth Army Corps, then composed of the Second, Eighth, 
Seventeenth, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, and First Michigan 
Sharpshooters, in his official report of casualties in the assaults of 
June 17 and 18, 1864, reported a loss of killed and wounded in his 
regiment of over sixty per cent of those present for duty in those 
terrible two days of fighting. 

The flag of the Second Michigan Infantry was in the first organ- 
ized engagement of the Army of the Potomac in the war, it being 
the first regiment to engage the enemy at Blackburn's Ford, Va., on 
July 18, 1861, in the first Bull Run campaign, and was the last flag 
to leave the first Bull Run battlefield. Its first commander — the 
noted Colonel Israel B. Ricliardson — then commanding the brigade 
composed of the Second and Third Michigan Infantry, First Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, Twelfth New York Infantry and a Rhode Island 
battery of Light Artillery, covering the retreat of the Army of the 
Potomac from the Bull Run battlefield. 



17 



Such, in brief, arc the main facts of the gallant record of the 
Color (aiard of the Second Michio^an Infantry, in the life and death 
struf^^.C^lc of this country in the Civil War. A record of patriotic 
devotion and sacrifice in defense of the old flag, worthy of the pro- 
found respect and admiration of their posterity. Worthy of publica- 
tion, and being handed down in the family annals to the coming 
generations; who, on learning the noble part borne by their ances- 
t(M-s, who fought, bled and died in upholding tlie old flag, and bearing 
it through a thousand i)erils to a triumphant issue, will cherish it 
as a rich heritage, and feel a proprietary right in its glories; will 
gather new inspirations, new love, and greater reverence for this 
great symbol of the power, glory and aspirations of our Republic, 
the illustrious Star Spangled Banner, the American Flag! Let us 
ever cherish the noble sentiment in the national song by the famous 
Geo. P. Morris: 

"The union of lakes, the union of lands, 
The union of States none can sever — 

The union of hearts, the union of hands, 
And the flag of our Union forever!" 



18 




CAPTAIN JOHN C. IIARDV, COMPANY D, SECOND MICHIGAN INFANTRY. 

AT TIIK Ar,F. OF T\VF,NTY-THREE. 

"The Hero of Petersburg, Va., at Fort Stcadman, March 25, 1S65 " 
He enlisted April 20, ISOl, at the age of nineteen. Promoted to the Color Guard March 
18, 1862, as Color Corporal, where he did valiant service defending the colors. Was promoted 
Sergeant and returned to his company and advanced step by step to the rank of Captain. 

Note: — Colonel March says: "The country can never pay to him, and to such as he. 
the debt it justly owes. In times of danger that made the fearless quail, Captain Hardy 
seemed never to think of himself, but of a soldier's duty. I promoted him, because of his 
intrepid valor. To his clear perception and quick comprehension, a lialf defeat was tvirned 
into a stimulating victory on the 25th of March, 18G5. His intelligence, courage, quick action 
on tiiat desperate night attack of the enemy under General Gordon, stamped him a worthy 
successor of the patriots of Lexington, Bunker Hill, Valley I'orgc and Yorktown." 



19 

APPENDIX. 

Official announccnienls by battalion order of promotion to Color 
Guard, indicated by number and date of order, with brief remarks on 
subsecjuent career, of the noble heroes, who were so intimately con- 
nected with the fortunes of these flags, in the fierce strife of battle, 

and the many perils through which they bore them to a triumphant 
issue : 

No. 61. Oct. 31, 1861. WilliaTi H. Delano, Co. E, Color Sergeant. 

Was prostrated with sickness and finally discharged July 21, 18G4. 
No. 61, Oct. 31, 1861. Frederick Cook, Co. B, Color Corporal. 

I'roniotcd Sergeant, disabled and discharged Sept. IG, 18G'2. 
No. 61. Oct. 31, 1861. Charles C. Baker, Co. C, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant ; promoted First Lieutenant, tansferrcd to 159tli N. Y. 
Infantry, Sept. 2(i, 18G2. 
No. 61. Oct. 31, 1861. Elisha P. Clark, Co. G, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant and discharged at expiration of term of service, July 12, 
]8fi4. 
No. 61. Oct. 31, 1861. William H. Johnson, Co. H. Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant; died of disease July 21, 1862. 
No. 61. Oct. 31, 1861. John J. Callahan, Co. K, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, re-enlisted, acting color-bearer; commissioned First 
Lieutenant, Adjutant, Brevet Captain and Major for meritorious services 
during the war. Mustered out July 28, 1865. | See portrait on page 24 L 
No. 73. Dec. 1, 1861. John S. Moore, Co. E, Color Sergeant. 

Promoted Lieutenant and Captain. Severely wounded while gallantly lead- 
ing his company in disastrous battle at the Crater and discharged for dis- 
ability April 30, 1865. 
No. 77. Dec. 5. 1861. JOHN SCHULZ, Co. A, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant; wounded and discharged October, 18G4. 
No. 77. Dec. 5, 1861. Stephen W. Lovett, Co. D, Color Corporal 

Promoted Sergeant ; wounded and discharged July 9, 1864. 
No. 77. Dec. 5, 1861. Nelson Fletcher, Co. F, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, Q. M. Sergeant and Lieutenant. Killed in action at Ox 
Ford, Va., May 24, 18(11. 
No. 82. Dec. 17, 1861. Sidney R. Prentice. Co. I, Color Corporal. 

Wounded and discliarged for disability' Sept. 2!», J862. 
No. 84. Dec. £7. William Blombers, Co. H, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant^ First ^.t!.■!;•c-ant, Acting Sergeant, M.ijor Di:d oi woimds 
received in actiin at Can-.pbell's 5-iation, Tenn., Nov. 16. ISGo. 
No. 18. March 18, lS6!i. Hugh McCabe, Co. A, Color Corporal. 

Wounded and dischargeil f.*r disability at Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 8, 18G2. 
No. 18. March 18, 1862. Edward F. Tucker, Co. B, Color Corporal. 

Missing at Conrad's l-'erry, ]\Id., Sept. 25, 18G2. No further record. 
No. 18. March 18. 1862. Charles D. White, Co. C, Color Corporal. 

Promoted to Sergeant. Participated in all battles of regiment to Knoxvillc, 
and discharged July 21, 1864. Present residence. Battle Creek, Mich. 



20 

No. 18. March 18, 1862. John C. Hardy, Co. D, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, First Sergeant, First Lieutenant and Captain for con- 
spicuous gallantry in action. Present residence, Detroit, Mich. [See por- 
trait on piifre 18 I 
No. 18. March 18, 1862. Joseph Richards, Co. E„ Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, Q. M. Sargeant, Second Lieutenant. Resigned April 21, 
1864. 
No. 18. March 18, 1862. William Shakespeare, Co. K. Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, I'"irst Sergeant. Wounded in action six times at Jack- 
son, Miss., July 11, 1863. Was appointed P>rigadier-Cleneral and Q. M. Gen- 
eral of State, in 1883 and 1884. [See portrait on page 27.] 
No. 29. May 4, 1862. Ulysses D. Russell, Co. I, Color Corporal. 

This particularly gallant soldier was promoted Color Sergeant Oct. 8, 18()2. 
Was wounded in action at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 180'2, and died of 
wounds received in action at Campbell's Station, Tenn., Nov. l(i, 18G3, where 
the enemy's shot shattered the flag staff in his hands. 

No. 30. May 12, 1862. Charles W. Mitchel, Co. F. Color Corporal. 

Missing Aug. 11, 1803. No further record. 

No. 31. May 27, 1862. Zephania Sexton, Co. D, Color CorporaL 

Promoted Sergeant. Reinli^led and transferee! to Medical Dept. Mustered 
out with regiment. 

No. 52. Aug. 1, 1862. Charles D. Morse, Co. E., Color Corporal. 

Transferred to 15attery K, 3d U. S. Artillery. Promoted Sergeant. 
No. 52. Aug. 1, 1862. Roscoe D. Dix. Co. K, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. While acting First Sergeant was severely wounded in 
action at Knoxvillc, Tenn.. Nov. 24, 1863. Taken prisoner, exchanged and 
discharged for disability May 25, 18G4. Since has been elected to many 
offices of trust and honor, among which were Commissioner of State Land 
Office for 1886 to 1890, and Auditor General for 1897 to 1900. Present resi- 
dence Berrien Springs, Mich. 

No. 53. Aug. 9, 1862. George A. Southworth, Co I, Color Sergeant. 

Supposed to have been wounded and lost. No record. 
No. 56. Sept. 26, 1862. Stephen G. Colvin. Co. I, Camp Color Bearer. 

Killed in action at Wilderness, Va., May (), 18()1. 
No. 85. Nov. 10. 1862. Frederick J. Sheldon, Co. B, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Wounded in artion at Knowille, 'Jenu., autl discliarged 

for disability June G, 1864. 
No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Herman Rohns, Co. A, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Discharged for disability April 25, 1864. Participated 

in all engagements to June 11, 1863. Died at Detroit, Mich., September, 11)04. 
No. 85. Nov. 10. 1862. Sheldon Rinehart, Co. B, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Wounded in action at Knowille, Tenn., Nov. 24, 18(i3. 

Discliarged for disability June 6, 1861. Now a physician at Laporte, Mich. 
No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Thomas P. Jones, Co. C, Color Corporal. 

Wounded in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 21, 1863. Promoted Sergeant. 

Participated in all engagements to Knoxvillc. Discharged July 21, 1864. 

Present residence, Detroit, Mich. 
No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Elias J. Schokley, Co. E, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Died of wounds received in action at Knoxville, Tenn., 

Nov. 24, 1863. 



No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Peter Smith, Co. G, Color Corporal. 

Wounded in action at Fort Saunders, Tenn., Nov. 29, 1863, and discharged 
for disability July 9, 1864. 

No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Charles H. Rogers, Co. H, Color Corporal. 

Promnlfd First Sergeant, iMrst Lieutenant and Captain. Wounded in action 
at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 18G4. Mustered out with regiment. Present resi- 
dence, Northville, Mich. 

No. 85. Nov. 10, 1862. Charles H. Butler, Co. I, Color Corporal. 
Discharged at expiration of term of service, July 21, 1864. 

No. 88. Nov. 18, 1862. Richard H. Halstead. Co. F, Color Corporal. 

Promoted First Sergeant. Taken prisoner in action at Campbells Station, 
Teun., Nov. 16, 1863. Exchanged and mustered out. Died at Concord, Mich., 
in 1903. 

No. 4. Jan. 13, 1863. Oscar F. Lockhead, Co. H, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Ordnance Sergeant, First Lieutenant and Quartermaster. Mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

No. 17. March 3, 1863. Alonzo Huxley, Co. K, Color Corporal. 
Promoted Sergeant. Re-enlisted and mustered out with regiment. 

No. 18. March 6, 1863. William Gundlach, Co. A. Color Corporal. 

Promoted First Sergeant and First I>ieutenant. Hrevetted Captain for 
conspicuou.s gallantry in action and raeritorions .services during the war. 
Participated in all en gagcmcnts to July 30, 1864, when he was taken 
prisoner and contracted disease of the eyes, from which he finally lost his 
sight. Mustered out with regiment. Present residence. White Bear Lake, 
isfinn. [See portrait on page 10.] 

No. 18. March 6, 1863. William Fuller, Co. D, Color Corporal. 

Wounded and taken prisoner in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 24, 1863. 
E.xchangcd and discharged for disability, July 9, 18G4. 

No. 18. March 6, 1863. John S. Glidden, Co. E, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant, First Sergeant and Captain in Colored Regiment. Was 
acting Color Bearer and wounded in action at Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 

1862. Discharged to accept commission. 

No. 18. March 6, 1863. James N. Willett, Co. F. Color Corporal. 

Participated in all engagements to Knoxville, Tenn., where he was woimded 
in action Nov. 24, 1863, and /^.nally discharged for disability, May 25, 1864. 

No. 18. March 6, 1863. Martin Ruehle, Co. H, Color Corporal. 

Promoted First Sergeant rfud Second Lieutenant. Wounded in action before 
Petersburg, Va., Feb. 22, 1865. Taken to Satterlec Hospital, Philadelphia, 
Pa. No further record. 

No. 36. June 1, 1863. William H. Flagg,, Co. C. Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Wounded in action at Blue Springs. Tenn., Oct. 10, 

1863. Subsequently attached to Engineer Dcpt. of 9th Army Corps. 

No. 55. Oct. 19, 1863. Cyrus Knight, Co. G, Color Corporal. 

Promoted Sergeant. Wounded in action at Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862, 

and killed in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 24, 1863. 

Note : No record for interval from December, 1863, to June, 1864. 

— May, 1864. Alfred Rowe, Co. G, Color Corporal. 

When the Color Sergeant was wounded at the beginning of the engagements 
on June 18, 1864, he became Color Bearer and was killed near the close of 
the action of that day. [See description on page 15.] 



22 — 

— May 25, 1864. Nathan M. Richardson, Co. F. Color Corporal. 

Wounded in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 24, 18G3. Wounded in action 
before Petersburg, June 18, 1864. Taken prisoner in action at the Crater, 
July 30, 1804. Exchanged Feb. 22, 1865. Promoted Color Sergeant June, 
1865 and mustered out with regiment. Was appointed Lieutenant Colonel 
and 'Assistant Adjutant General of State for 1897, 1898 and 1899. Present 
residence, Caro, Mich. 

— June 19, 1864, Jesse H. Gaines, Co. G, Color Sergeant. 

Taken prisoner in action at the Crater, July 30, 1864, with entire Color 
Guard, after hurling the colors over the ramparts towards our lines, being 
cut otT from support and surrounded by the enemy. Was exchanged, and 
promoted First Lieutenant. Mustered out with regiment. Present resi- 
dence, Mishawaka, Ind. 

— Sept. — , 1864. Joseph Richardson, Co. C, Acting Color Sergeant. 

At the capture of Petersburg, Va., April 3, 1865, the 2d Mich. Infty. being 
the first of the Union troops to enter the city, he had the honor of first dis- 
playing the Union colors over the Post Office and U. S. Custom House 
where the rebel flag had so long floated defiantly in the breeze. Promoted 
Sergeant and was mustered out with regiment. Died at Charlotte, Mich., 
Nov. 17, 1899. 

To further emphasize the great and unsurpassed devotion of the 
followers of the flag of the Second Michigan Infantry, the writer begs 
to quote here, from page 199 of "Michigan in the War," the following 
pathetic extracts from a letter written by Gen. O. M. Poe, shortly 
after the regiment had re-enlisted, and was about to start for home 
on its thirty-days veteran furlough. Gen. Poe was then Chief 
Engineer on Gen. Burnside's staff, and had learned, when too late, 
of the blundering, stupid order which sent his brave old regiment 
into a useless bloody sacrifice, viz : "Anticipating their return to the 
State, their old commander. Colonel Poe, who had been Chief 
Engineer during the siege of Knoxville, wrote a friend in Detroit a 
letter, of which the following is an extract. Coming from one so 
capable of judging, it unquestionably estimates correctly the bravery 
and valuable services of the regiment, while it breathes the true 
feeling of his heart for those he had cominanded in so many hard- 
fought fields, and whom he loved so well : 

" 'On the 24th November, 1863, the Second Michigan with 150 
men, charged the enemy's rifle pits and the Major lost a leg and was 
mortally wounded through the hips ; Adjutant Noble and Lieut. 
Galpin were killed ; six Sergeants lost a leg each ; the Color-bearer 
was mortally wounded and has since died;*' in all eighty-four were 

*This is an error, resulting undoubtedly from Color Bearer Russell — who was 
mortally wounded on the 16th of November, having died a day or two before, 
which undoubtedly mislead the General, unwittingly to attribute his death to the 
battle on Nov. 24th. — F. S. 



23 



killed ami wounded out of the small party — about sixty per cent. 
Yet the remnant of the brave old regiment was in the bastion which 
the enemy tried to carry by assault on the morning of the 29th, and 
their courage and cheer were as great yesterday as when I took 
command of them two years ago a thousand strong. 

" 'There is no language that can exaggerate the behavior of these 
"brax-es." They will probably be almc^st unnoticed in Detroit, because 
tluy have e\er ])vvn too i)roud to seek any demonstration. Yet I 
would pity any one's liumanit}- who could look unmoved upon that 
renmaiit of a regiment whose Hag has area enough to bear only a 
portion of their battles. Proud am I that T was ever associated with 
such heroes, and if there is any event of my life with which I am 
particularly satisfied, it is that I built Fort Saunders, and that, 
protected by its parapet, the regiment I once had the honor to 
command burled back, discomfited and demoralized more than ten 
times their number of the best troops in the rebel service. There is 
something sublimely grand in the steady, rpiiet courage of those men 
of our "Scond." They are all intelligent enough to know their 
danger, and always true and brave enough to face it. They never 
yet have failed in time of need, and they never will. I would ask no 
higher honor than to ride at their head through the streets of Detroit, 
for you know I am ashamed neither of them, their deeds, nor of my 
enthusiasm for them. I have written thus warmly about them 
because my feelings are wrought up, and I know you can appreciate 
them. If any of the wounded Second reach Detroit I beg of you to 
look after them as I know you can.' " 

While other regiments from this State who came out under the 
first call were cither disbanded or consolidated with other regiments 
when their term of service expired and new organizations took their 
numbers, the Second Michigan Infantry was the only regiment from 
Michigan that re-enlisted and retained an unbroken organization 
throughout the entire war, from its very beginning to its close. 
Always at the front to the end at Appomattox. It had a total enroll- 
ment during the war of 2,151. Many of its members were recruited 
from the students of the University, Albion. Hillsdale and Kalama- 
zoo Colleges. Mciny of its rank and file were promoted to commis- 
sioned ofificers in other regiments. Its first two commanders who 
rose to great distinction during the war were of the regular army, 
and graduates of West Point. It was frequently mentioned in gen- 
eral orders for conspicuous gallantry in action, and was received 



24 




TOIIN T. 



CALLMIAN, OF COMPANY K, AT THE AGE OF 22. 
15UKVET MAJOR AT CLOSE OF THE WAR. 



Note: — Tlie subject uf the above portrait — reproduced from an old war time photo, taken 
in 18G3 — was a member of the Color Guard from September to December, lS(iI, and from 
August, 1862, to May, 18C4. He carried the colors througli the bloody battle of the "VVilder- 
ness," Va., May 6, 18(!4, where he was wounded and disabled. Nov. 14, 1863, when General 
Hurnside's force was opposing the overwhelming force of the enemy under General Longstrect, 
near Soudon, Tenn., General Grant ordered our forces to retire on Knoxville, and hold the 
latter point at all hazards. The Second Michigan Infantry formed part of the rear guard. In 
the desperate struggle that followed. Corporal Callahan, who had been greatly weakened by 
sickness had nevertheless ])luckily attcmi)tcd to keep up with the Colors, but had to finally 
fall behind, and was near being captured by the enemy, when bis younger brother, "Billy," 
came running up to him crying over his distress, took his gini and dragged him along to a 
point where he got him into an ambulance that carried him to Knoxville, where, although still on 
the sick list, he rejoined the Color Guard, and was in the disastrosu charge of his regiment 
Nov. 24, 1863. When the regiment was ordered back into the fortifications, he fell down 
completely exhausted, but was miraculously saved by his comrades, but to his inexpressible 



^ 

with a grand ovation by a large concourse of citizens at Detroit on 
its return from the war, on August 1, 1865. 

The following is an official list of the engagements it participated 
tn under fire of the enemy : 

1861. 

*Blackl)urn"s l<ord, Va.. July 18. 
*Bull Run, Ya., July 2\.' 
Bailey's Cross Roads and Munson's Hill, Va.. in iVugust, Sep- 
tember and October, 18(51. 

1862. 

Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 1 to May 4. 
*VVilliamsburg, Va., May 5. 
*Fair Oaks, Va., May 31 and June 1. 

Near Richmond, \^a., Jiuie 18. 

Jordan's Ford, Va., June "ii). 
*Glendale, \'a.. lune ;U). 

Malvern ]lill, \'a., July 1. 

Second ]'>lack])urn's Ford. \'a., August 28. 

Second Bull Run, \'a., August 2!>. 
*Groveton, Va., August -W. 
*Chanlilly, Va., September 1. 

Frederickslnirg, Va., I)eeend)er 12 to 14. 

1863. 

Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June 22 U) July t. 
*Siege of Jackson, Miss.. July 11 to July 18. 
*Charge at Jackson, Miss., July 11. 

Blue Springs, Tenn., October 10. 

griff, Iiis ptallant brother, "I'.illy," was killed in this bloody action. According to the oflicial 
record published by the state: John J. Callahan (N'eteran), enlisted in Company K, Second 
Infantry, May 10, 1801, at Kalamazoo, for :i years, age 20. Mustered May 2"), 1801. Pro- 
iTioted Color Corporal and Sergeant. Rc-cnlisted Dec. .31, 1803, at Blain's Cross Roards, 
Tenn. Commissioned I'"irst Lieutenant of Company C, June 0, 1805. Mustered to date June 
13, 1805. Commissioned .\djulant July 22, IHOT). Breveted Captain and Major, II. S. Volun- 
teers March 13, ISOfi. for gallant and nuritorious services during the war. Mustered out and 
honorablv discharged at De I.aney House, D. C. July 28. ISO."). He had many miraculous 
escapes from death, while many of his comrades aroinid him were killed or wounded, having 
participated in nearly all of the many engagements of his regiment from Blackburn's I'ord. 
July 18, 1801, to the Wilderness, Va., May 0, 1804. After his discharge he was appointed 
to a clerkship in the War Department in the Adjutant (icneral's Oflice at Washington, D. C, 
where, subsequently on the recovery of the Union battle Hags from Richmond, Va.., finding 
among them the Second Michigan Infantry flag, umVer whose folds he bad so often periled 
his life for its maintenance, he was instrumental in procuring its return from the War De- 
partment to the Regimental Association of Survivors, by whom it was turned over to the 
state for preservation. F. S. 



26 _____^ 

Loudon, Tenn., November 14. 
*Lenoir Station, Tenn., November 15. 
*Campbeirs Station, Tenn., November 16. 
*Siege of Knoxville, Tenn., November 17 to December 5. 
*Charge at Knoxville, Tenn., November 24. 
*Night Assault on Fort Saunders, Tenn., November 28 and 29. 

Thurley's Ford, Tenn., December 15. 

1864. 

Strawberry Plains, Tenn., January 22. 

Near Knoxville, Tenn., January 22. 
^Wilderness, Va., May 5, 6 and 7. 

Ny-River, Va., May 9. 
*Spottsylvania, Va., May 10, 11 and 12. 

Ox Ford, Va., May 23. 

North Anna, Va., May 24 and 25. 

Tolopotomy, Va., May 30. 
*Bethesda Church, Va., June 2 and 3. 

Cold Harbor, Va., June 7. 
*Assaults on Petersburg, Va., June 17 and 18. 
*The Crater, Va. (explosion of mine), July 30. 

Weldon Railroad, Va., August 19 and 20. 

Ream's Station, Va., August 25. 

Poplar Springs Church, Va., September 30. 

Pegram Farm, Va., October 2. 

Boydon Road, Va., October 8. 

Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27 and 28. 

1865. 

*Night Assault on Fort Steadman, Va., March 25. 
*Capture of Petersburg, Va., April 3. 
Pursuit of enemy, ending with surrender of entire rebel army 
at Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9. 

♦Indicates engagements where the regiment was especially mentioned in 
general orders for conspicuous gallantry in action. 



^ 27 

FIRST SERGEANT WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, COMPANY K, SECOND MICHIGAN 

INFANTRY. 
AT THE AGE OF TWENTY. 

He enlisted April 12, 1S61, at the age of seventeen, was assigned to the Color Guard 
as Color Corporal March 18, 1862, was promoted Sergeant in his company May 27, 1862, and 
First Sergeant March 1, 1863. Was severely wounded at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1863. 
Honorably discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, after having participated with his 
regiment in seventeen hard fought battles from Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run to Vicksburg. 




Note: — The above portrait, although a reproduction from an old and faded photo of 
1S(;2, still shows the great intelligence and determined will power of this brave young soldier, 
that on occasions amounted to such an obstinate and determined spirit, that no amount of 
suffering could subdue, as the following incident will show. In the gallant charge of his 
regiment at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 18G3, he was wounded through both legs near the hips, 
having both thighs fractured; while lying there on the battlefield, with these painful wounds, 
he had several more bullets fired into his body. When carried off the battlefield to the field 
hospital, and a consultation over his case was held by our surgeons, it was concluded by them 
that his wounds were mortal and his case hopeless. Our surgeon, Dr. Henry Clelland of 
Detroit — then said to him: "I don't want to alarm you unnecessarily, but you have only a 
few hours to live, still you may live a few days, but I can't give you any encouragement." 
He feebly responded that he thought it was not so bad. A short time afterwards the surgeon 
came to him with a letter, saying to him that he had "written to his mother of his unfortu- 
nate condition; was there any final message to add." He insisted on seeing that letter. 
Finally the surgeon read it to him. Said he, "Doctor, I want to add a few words to it." 
"Why," said the surgeon, "do you think you can write?" "Why, yes, I think I can scrawl 
out a few words if you will prop me up," and they complied with his request. After propping 
him up he added to that letter these words: "Do not be alarmed, dear mother, the doctor 
is mistaken. I am going to get well and come back to you." Some time after he was brought 
up to the general hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lay for nine long months on his back 
in an agony of suffering, unable to stir from one side to the other, and during all that tim« 
the doctors were in doubt about his final recovery. Rut the obstinate determination not to 
die but to come back to that dear mother pulled him through to final recovery. 



28 

THE GRAND REVIEW— THEN AND NOW. 



In eighteen hundred and sixty-five 

We marched in the Grand Review. 
In Wash ngton, in the month of May, 

We marched in the Grand Review. 
Then we were young and in our prime, 
Onr hearts were light and our feet kept time 
With the drums as theybeat a merry rhyme, 
As we marched in the Grand Review. 

Choru.s — 
(Fall in!) We marched. (Shoulder arms !) We marched ; 

(Forward!) We marched in the Grand Review; 
(File rght!) We marched; (company into line!) We marched 

(Present arms!) We marched in the Grand Review. 

And Washington with banners gay, 

As we marched ni th e Grand Review, 

Her welcome sent to all that day, 
As we marched in the Grand Review. 

The happy throng, the gladdening cheer, 

The countless thousands gathered theie. 

With joyous music filled the air, 
As we marched in the Grand Review. 

The tattered flags we bore that day, 
As we marched in th e Grand Review, 

Thro' shot and shell had found their way. 
To march in the Grand Review. 

Forgotten then the battle's yell ! 

The plunging shot, the shrieking shell, 

For peace had come with us to dwell, 
As we marched in the Grand Review. 

And there was Grant and Sherman, too, 
They marched in the Grand Review. 
And Custer bold and Logan true. 

They marched in the Grand Review. 
Now many comrades have marched away, 
Their silent tents but hold their clay, 
But we shall meet them again some day. 
When we march in the Grand Review. 

But many years have passed away 

Since we marched in the Grand Review; 
And the dead outnumber the living today, 

Who marched in the Grand Review, 
And the' our heads are turning gray, 
Our guns and knapsacks laid away, 
iWe often think of the glorious day 

That we marched in the Grand Review. 

Lansing, Mich., Nov. 38, 1905. 



DEC IS •••jD5 




Official Badge of 

Associatiorv of Survivors of Second 

Michigan Infantrv 



M. E.GARDNER. PRINTFR. LANSING. MICH. 



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